Procyon is a hive of Terran activity. Numerous small scouts jump to and from Sirius on scouting missions. Once a week, a patrol of Terran warships patrol the sector as well. Of course, they are not the only ones regularly patrolling that sector.

Traders jump in all directions, carrying wares to the remote Terran colonies as well as too and from Vilani space via Sirius. Most trade ships are small 200 dTon Heros or 400 dTon Lightnings, but there area bewildering variety of others ships as well.

[Secret to Cyril Zotmund: You notice one familiar Lightning belonging to one of the most ruthless pirates just as it jumped to the Sirius system. When you mentioned it to the next patrol, however, they did not find it.]

Significantly, a slow 6000 dTon cylindrical vessel owned and operated as a mobile base by Andrew Kalishnikov Pty. Ltd. is escorted by a smaller, slimmer and faster 1500 dTon research vessel, the 'Yuri', the owner uses as his flagship. The base is used to manufacture vehicle parts, weapons and, more recently, bioplas suits for sale to remote colonies. These have recently jumped here from the Hephaiston system. It is unusual for them to be so close to the front, but you sense that something unusual is being planned.

Captain Maya went yesterday to the Yuri to plan what was thought to be the next trading trip into Vilani space. She has only returned now, and calls the officers to her office as the crew finish unloading the last goods into the Dastavka's hold.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. We have a more unusual mission. We will be leaving Terran space for a very long time, but we will not be alone. Andrew Kalishnikov has decided to move the base, escorted by the Yuri, to the remote Terran colonies in the Capella Subsystem. We will be working as scouts, but our first mission will be to jump to the Vilani systems beyond Sirius and arrange to have fuel tankers with at least 600 dTons of fuel waiting to refulel the base when she jumps into the system in exactly 5 weeks. That may sound like a long time, but each jump takes about a week, and we will have at least 3 jumps to make, so we cant waste time. We need to decide to try to sell our goods to get the fuel from Shulimik or Markhashi. The former is more developed, the latter is not so strict but poorer. We can discuss this as we prepare to jump to Sirius, so let me know if you have any business that needs taking care of before you leave."
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:53, Sat 13 June 2015.

"Captain, I'm all set for departure, but could you give us just a bit more information?"

Carrick raises his eyebrows and hands, palms up, as if to provide suggestions, "As in what's a 'very long time' or why in the galaxy Mr. Kalishnikov wants to put his base ship at risk so far from Terran space?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:29, Tue 09 June 2015.

In reply to Carrick Teague (msg # 2):

"Well, technically, he is actually moving from one part of Terran space to another, but this part of Terran space is cut of from Terra by a large chunk of Vilani space. He is pretty sure he will make a lot more money there, precisely because they are cut off. He just has to get there...It takes a couple of months travel through Vilani space to get back, so we probably won't be back to Terra for a few years."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:41, Tue 09 June 2015.

"Somehow I doubt that technicality is going to mean a whole lot if we get in trouble out there."

A smile. A nod. "And I hope that he's not the only one to be making a lot of money on this adventure of a few years."

In reply to Carrick Teague (msg # 4):

"Yes Sir, that is why most of us are here, I think. If he can pull it off, I think we all stand to get pretty rich. Now, anyone have some business to take care of before we jump? Navigator, I will thank you for preparing the Jump Co-ordinates..."

Has anyone made any inquiries about how the Vilani might see our producing weapons and the like, so close to their holdings? ...just asking. I am sure we don't wish to appear as a threat to them. The settlers certainly need some defenses against pirates but nothing that looks like a second front to the Vilani.

We also noted that a pirate that has raided ships in the Sirius system before just jumped out toward that star system. It is a Lightning class vessel, about 100 dTons bigger than ours, but similarly armed and armoured. The captain is well known for capturing merchant vessels and stealing their fuel, often leaving them stranded. Regrettably the Bastard was also a very capable Scout Service ship Captain of considerable ability.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 6):

"The pirate will be of considerable concern. I will get back to you regarding getting his vessels' signature.

As far as the Vilani are concerned, certain corporations will undoubtedly be opposed to us, but technically we are at peace, and willing to sell weapons to the Vilani as well, so there should not be any issue at the high Bureaucracy level. That said, we would do well to keep a low profile, and avoid jumping on their toes by going through major systems if we can help it."

Kat was leaning back in her chair, smoking as everyone talked. "I guess I should stock up on smokes, I don't want to go cold turkey out there, I would not be so pleasant. But the real question Captain is how well protected is this ship? I could pirates wanting it and what about various Vilani groups that might want a weapons factory. And what if they, the Vilani, just try and take it in there space? How long will we be in their space?" she said with a curious look, not rally caring but it sounded like a good challenge.

In reply to Katherine 'Kat' Steele (msg # 8):

"Both the Base and the Yuri are very well defended, with an experimental new Repulsor weapon in the base. He is an arms dealer, after all. It can handle a rogue patrol, but a full military strike would get nasty...but they have nukes. But it will be at least 2-3 months in transit, so we cant afford a major incident."

"Well, Captain, I think I better send off some messages to family and friends. If there's nothing else, I'll get to it."

In reply to Carrick Teague (msg # 10):

"Go for it Carrick. No secret regarding our destination, so let them know. Invite them, even! We will stop by Procyon for some smokes and supplies before we go."

"I should be good to go whenever. There might be a few I want to pick up; I'll have to check. You want me to go prep the boat?